Río Perdido Hotel & Thermal River, Rincón de la Vieja

Pros

• The hotel's namesake comes from Río Perdido, a river known for its warm thermal water, so guests have complimentary access to its pools, one of which has volcanic mud that you can massage onto your skin.
• Besides the river pools, the hotel also has a coldwater infinity pool with a swim-up bar.
• The delicious open-air restaurant offers al fresco dining and handcrafted cocktails with views of the surrounding forest.
• Each room is a private cabin on stilts with forest views—and some have outdoor showers—so it's an excellent place for a quiet and peaceful retreat.  

Cons

• If you want to visit the area to explore Rincón de la Vieja National Park, keep in mind that the hotel is an hour away from the park and its volcano.
• The location is very remote, and there aren't other restaurants nearby.
• The minimum age requirement at the hotel is eight years old, so it's not a great choice for families with young kids. 

Additional Notes From Brittany 

After a morning soaking in Río Perdido's lovely thermal pools, I enjoyed a three-course lunch at the hotel's open-air restaurant. A pleasant breeze accompanied the views of the sprawling forest, and a few people flew through the canopy above on zip lines. As I was enjoying my delicious main course of arroz con pollo, I noticed a rustling in the tree, and out popped a howler monkey enjoying its own lunch of green leaves!

Authenticity

Though you'll be farther from the area's main attractions, the authentic feel at Río Perdido is hard to beat. You'll basically stay in a sanctuary, and the hotel's entire aesthetic results from collaborations with local and national artists, architects, and designers, some winners of awards like the prestigious Bienal de Arquitectura and Renee Frank Award. 

Location

Río Perdido is about a one-hour drive from Rincón de la Vieja National Park, set in the San Bernardo Lowlands, where Río Blanco's chilly waters meet Río Perdido's hot waters. The property's remoteness and surrounding environment are a part of its appeal, but it's best to have a rental car or hire a transfer if you want to go offsite and explore the area a bit.  

Rooms & Bathrooms

Río Perdido offers warm, bright, and comfortable units with a modern, artsy aesthetic. All 30 rooms are in standalone bungalows set high in the trees and feature floor-to-ceiling windows, private and furnished terraces, minifridges, and seating areas. Central cabins add outdoor showers and projector screens for movie nights. 

Wildlife

The 1,500-acre canyon reserve surrounding the hotel provides some of the best on-site wildlife viewing of any hotel in the region. Agoutis, howler monkeys, and exotic birds are all Costa Rican staples that can be seen at many locations (including here), but Río Perdido is remote enough that you might be lucky enough to spot one of the elusive ocelots or pumas known to roam the reserve. 

Amenities

The hotel has a cold water infinity pool with a swim-up bar. Other swimming opportunities include the Río Perdido River itself and several mineral springs. There's no gym on-site, but you can break a sweat at the complimentary yoga practices offered cliffside above the river. The Río Perdido Spa has several rooms for individual treatment and a separate room for couples massages. For a remote location, the hotel is impressively well suited for guests with limited mobility, as all common areas are accessible, and there are two fully accessible bungalows. 

Family-Friendliness

Travelers staying at the hotel must be at least eight years old, making Río Perdido not particularly family-friendly. However, if you're traveling with teenagers who love outdoor activities, the hotel may be suitable as it offers excellent outdoor recreation. Families will want to stay in one of the Center Bungalows as they're significantly larger than the other options at the hotel. 

Other Highlights

The hotel's environment is its highlight, with a beautiful, open-air lobby, restaurant, and bar offering views of the surrounding forest. You can relax in the natural thermal river or the long thermal pool that curves around the hotel's property. The property also features a hanging bridge, walking trails, medicinal springs, a yoga platform, and many other on-site tours and activities.

Sustainability

The hotel owners strived to develop the property without disturbing the surrounding environment using a zero land movement development strategy. All the buildings are atop existing geologic formations or on pylons that maintain the property's natural state as much as possible. All the furniture comes from locally and sustainably sourced wood with a unique design specific to the property.